Sage Marketplace Live Expo | Bill Kizer's Blog

Written By: Joe Langner EVP, General Manager Sage Mid-Market Solutions

Over the last year, we’ve gone from being product-line focused to a customer- and market-led organization. At last year’s Sage Summit, we laid the foundation and infrastructure for the future and prioritized our portfolio to enable us to increase investments in areas, such as cloud and mobility. Last year’s conference was a huge success, and based on your valuable feedback and the considerable progress we’ve made, Sage Summit 2013 will be our biggest, and should prove to be our best event ever. The largest education and networking event for Sage customers and partners, we expect 4,000 members from the Sage community to attend.

In his opening keynote, Sage North America CEO Pascal Houillon will discuss the Sage vision, what’s new and what’s coming, new cloud service offerings, and more.

The partner portion of the conference will bring you the latest information on strategy and products. Like no other conference, Sage Summit will help you become more productive, push the envelope, hear what’s working for others, and bring a new energy to your workplace. Sage Summit 2013 offers many different ways to learn—from scheduled breakouts to hands-on labs to the innovative new Idea Xchange sessions. Regardless of which product you use or what field of work you’re in, the topics are certain to be relevant and interesting to you.

At the Sage Marketplace Live Expo, you will get a hands-on look at specific applications and be able to talk with software developers who are as committed to your success as we are.

The innovative concept of Sage City builds on the networking aspect of the conference and facilitates business discussions and alliances. We are excited about the opportunity this provides to customers to meet like-minded peers, share ideas, and overcome similar business challenges.

On Monday, July 22, Sage executives and thought leaders will lead Super Sessions that offer deeper insight into topics from customer experience to the future of Sage products:

Understanding the Sage Product and Technology Strategy
How to Map the Customer Experience
Growing Your Business Through Solutions-Based Selling—Greg Hammermaster, president, Sage Payment Solutions, and I are leading this session.
Fundamentals of High-Performing Firms—How to Get (and Keep) a Competitive Edge

Then on Monday night, July 22, let loose and have some fun at our not-to-be-missed annual partner party! This year’s event is all about good times in The District, with themed hangouts and locally inspired eats. Plus enjoy games, activities, and even a table tennis tournament. But mostly, come by to enjoy the open bar, live music from partner bands, and a chance to greet old friends and make some new ones.

On Wednesday, July 24, Sage presents A Night at the Smithsonian for customers, exhibitors, and business partners with a six-day pass. This private party is unlike any other you’ve ever experienced. For one night, the Sage community will take over the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History: Journey through some of the most important American stories; get a firsthand look at the Old Glory Flag; check out Dorothy’s ruby slippers and other American icons. Plus enjoy great food, fun games, and great company.

Sage Summit week marks a new beginning for Sage in North America as we prepare to move to the second stage of our journey, which is accelerating to the cloud.

In addition to coming to the Partner Days of Sage Summit 2013, I encourage you to reinforce the value proposition that we deliver to customers, by attending the Customer Days of the conference with your customers, as well. Thank you to all our Sage business partners who are investing your time and money to attend. We appreciate your commitment and loyalty.

I look forward to seeing you at the conference. If we’ve not yet met, please introduce yourself to me, and if we have, be sure to come by and say hello.